Portable resuscitator apparatus



March 24, 1970 J. J. COWLEY PORTABLE RESUSCITATOR APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 27, 1967 Inventor JOHN J. (IOWLE Y FIG. 2

March 24, 1970 J. J. COWLEY 3,502,075

PORTABLE RESUSCITATOR APPARATUS Filed Feb. 27, 1967 s Sheets-Sheet z FIG. .3

Fl Inventor JOHN J.' COWLEY 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Inventor Filed Feb. 27, 1967 JOHN J. COWLEY United States Patent 3,502,075 PORTABLE RESUSCITATOR APPARATUS John James Cowley, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, assignor,

by mesne assignments, to Abbott Laboratories, a corporation of Illinois Filed Feb. 27, 1967, Ser. No. 618,636 Int. Cl. A62b 7/02; A61h 31/00 US. Cl. 128-1453 6 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE tube means extending from the expansion chamber, control tap means connected to the further tube means, flexible hose means connected to the control tap means and a breathing mask attachable on the flexible hose means. The apparatus is capable of either resuscitation or inhalation type operation.

This invention relates to a portable resuscitator and inhalator apparatus designed for emergency use to supply oxygen under limited positive pressure.

The need for an emergency portable resuscitator apparatus designed specifically for emergency use either domestically or by relatively untrained persons, or by a nurse or doctor has become increasingly apparent. Many victims of heat ailments can be revived if some form of emergency oxygen breating apparatus is immediately available and can be applied to the victim until he can be taken to a hospital. The length of time which elapses will normally be in the region of fifteen to thirty minutes, and, accordingly, if pure oxygen is supplied continuously under pressure a substantial supply of compressed oxygen will be required. Thus, one known form of oxygen breathing equipment in established use by fire departments provides a bottle containing twenty litres of compressed oxygen which is rated to last for twenty minutes.

Such devices have usually centered around a cylindrical oxygen container of substantial size and volume and have incorporated regulator mechanism and a variety of different breathing devices permitting in some cases the inhalation of pure oxygen and in other cases the inhalation of a mixture of oxygen and air under pressure and in still other cases, of oxygen and atmospheric air, as available. However, while such prior devices have proved entirely satisfactory for the purposes for which they were designed, they were in general suitable for use only by trained personnel such as firemen or civil defense workers or trained airmen, and were entirely unsuitable for use by civilians or by the great majority of medical personnel in an emergency. In addition, such prior devices were porta ble only in a restricted sense. Usually, they were designed to be carried in a vehicle such as a fire truck or ambulance at the times when they might be required i.e. when fire fighting or entering a dangerous building, and they were therefore in general unsuited for incorporation in portable first aid kit or, as forming part of a standard piece of medical equipment suitable for use by doctors and nurses. As a result, the distribution of such prior inhalator devices has been relatively restricted, and in a large number of emergency type situations such as may arise in civilian life and in particular in military experience, oxygen inhalators have never been available on less than at least thirty minutes notice, and in many cases, only after a very much longer delay with resultant injury or loss of life in some cases.

In addition, such prior inhalator devices have usually been designed to perform solely as inhalators that is to say as making available free oxygen for breathing by a person who was fully possessed of his faculties and capable of breathing normally, and the design of such equipment has usually proceeded on the basis that where a resuscitator action was required by a person whose ability to breathe was impaired and therefore required assistance, that other resuscitator equipment would be available and that the inhalator equipment would not be required. In actual practice, and in particular in the cases of sudden heart attacks or accidental electric shocks or partial drownings, resuscitation is required first for a relatively short period after which inhalation will be sufiicient to complete the recovery. This fact is well recognized and the design of many resuscitators incorporates an optional inhalator "function to which the equipment can be switched over after the patient has partially recovered. However, such resuscitator apparatus as has been available in the past is extremely bulky and usually requires one or two persons to carry it and is usually only available at one or two central locations such that the delay in treating the patient renders the equipment virtually useless.

One of the principal obstacles to the production of a small compact inhalator and resuscitator has been the problem of designing a completely safe and reliable high pressure oxygen container which can be mass produced and filled at a very low cost and yet remain completely safe from leakage or explosion under variable conditions. In addition, the design of an etficient pressure regulator for reducing the very high container pressures in excess of two thousand p.s.i. down to a fraction of one p.s.i. has not previously been accomplished in a manner pernutting mass production at low unit cost.

In particular, the customary design of high pressure containers of large diameter cylindrical shape having domed ends is unsuitable for mass production purposes and in addition the working pressure must be maintained several times lower than the bursting pressure since the danger of rupture of such containers is very serious, resulting in a destructive explosion and shattering of the container. For these reasons, such containers are usually filled to only a fraction of their capacity with consequent increase in cost. In addition, the relatively thick metal required for the construction of such large diameter containers results in an unequal distribution of fibre stress with consequent tendency to develop local weaknesses.

It is therefore a general objective of the invention to provide an oxygen inhalator apparatus which is of small compact design, and stores a volume of oxygen sufficient for a brief emergency period of usage and which incorporates high pressure oxygen storage means capable of standing tests several times in excess of normal working pressures and having an indefinite storage life, and which is available for instant use automatically.

More particularly, it is an objective of the invention to provide an oxygen inhalator apparatus having the foregoing advantages which also combines the function of a resuscitator apparatus if desired.

More particularly, it is an objective of the invention to provide an oxygen breathing apparatus having the foregoing advantages and including adjustable controls for regulating the delivery pressure during use.

More particularly it is an objective of the invention to provide a portable inhalator and resuscitator apparatus having the foregoing advantages in which means are provided for a constant reading of pressure, and therefore volume, of gas stored within the container when not in use, and, when in use, for providing a reading of delivery pressure.

More particularly it is an objective of the invention to provide a portable inhalator and resuscitator apparatus having the foregoing advantages incorporating an on/off control tap of novel design providing hermetic sealing of very high pressures over extended periods while remaining ready for instant use.

The invention seeks to achieve the. foregoing and other advantages which will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention by the provision of a high-pressure oxygen breathing apparatus comprising; a high-pressure. storage vessel for oxygen and the like consisting of a length of tubing wound upon itself; an adjustable flow control valve; a capillary tube connecting said valve to said gauge; an on/olf control tap; a capillary tube connecting said gauge to said tap; a flexible low pressure delivery tube connected to said tap; and oxygen mask means on the free end of said flexible tube.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the following drawings in which like references refer to like parts throughout the various views and diagrams and in which;

FIGURE 1 is a front elevational view of a breathing apparatus according to the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a partial sectional side elevation along the line II-II of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a partial sectional side elevation along the line IIIIII of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a partial sectional end elevation along the line IVIV of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 5 is a schematic view including a section along the line V-V of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 6 is a section along the line VIVI of FIG- URE 5, and

FIGURE 7 is a sectional view of a detail of FIGURE 5 in another position.

In FIGURE 1 it will be noted that the apparatus according to the present invention comprises a generally circular shaped case or housing 10 having a carrying handle 11 and provided with a front closure (not shown for the sake of clarity) which may be fastened shut by any suitable fastening means such as 12. Within housing or case 10 there is preferably provided a removable breathing unit comprising a tubular pressure vessel 13 consisting of a length of high pressure. resistant tubing of approximately /2 inch in total diameter and of a length of anywhere between and 30 feet. Tubing 13 is preferably formed of a thin metallic tape spirally wound upon itself and bonded in known manner to provide tubing of the greatest strength with the thinnest possible wall structure. In this way, the united hoop stress within the tubular pressure vessel 13 is very substantially reduced and the molecular distribution around the circumference of the tube leads to an equalization of the fiber stress across the wall thickness. The tubular pressure vessel 13 is closed at both ends by any suitable sealing means such as soldering, or crimping of the tube (not shown) and is itself contained within a generally donut shaped jacket 14 which is shaped and dimensioned to fit within the housing 10 and is adapted to be fastened therein by any suitable releasable means such as straps 15 and dome fasteners 16 in order to permit removal and installation for refilling and servicing.

Referring now to FIGURES 2, 3 and 4, the outlet and control means are shown to comprise a capillary tube 17 one end of which is welded into the wall of tubular pressure vessel 13 and the outer end of which enters one side of the flow control valve 18 which is itself mounted on the control panel 19 and provided with a control knob 20 and a dial 21. From valve 18 capillary tube 17 is then connected to pressure gauge 22 also mounted on panel 19 which is adapted to read the pressure of oxygen or other gas mixture as delivered and has a sufficient range to additionally indicate the pressure of oxygen or other gas mixture stored within pressure vessel 13. From gauge 22 a further capillary tube 23 connects to an outlet on-off control tap indicated generally as 24 the construction of which will be described later. From outlet tap 24 connection is made to a flexible plastic hose 25 which is of any suitable length to permit access to a patient. Hose 25 communicates with a gas accumulator bag 26 of plastic or like expansible material and thence to a breathing mask 27. Mask 27 is preferably provided with flexible elastic straps 28 permitting mask 27 to be fastened in position upon the face of a patient and is additionally provided with a nonreturn valve such as the flexible flap 29 to avoid inadvertent blocking of hose 25 by foreign matter.

The on/otf control tap 24 is shown in detail in FIGURE 5. Tap 24 is seen to comprise capillary tube 23 which is fastened securely in collar 30 which is itself attached in fixed location by bracket 31 to panel 19. Tube 23 extends beyond collar 30 along the length of oversize sleeve 32 and at its free end 33 is provided with a frusto-conical tapered profile. Within sleeve 32 there is provided a neck portion 34 having an interior bore therethrough of a size greater than capillary tube 23 designed to permit a predetermined degree of angular deflection of tube 23 therein. A shoulder member 35 is securely fastened to tube 23, within sleeve 32, and is of an outside diameter somewhat less than the interior diameter of sleeve 32 to permit angular deflection of tube 23 relative to sleeve 32. A compression spring 36 is retained under compression between neck 34 and shoulder 35.

The end of sleeve 32 is closed by means of seat member 37 having a conical well 38 formed therein for reception of free end 33 of tube 32. The angle of well 38 to the axis of tube 32 is greater than the angle of the tapered profile of end 33. Sleeve 32 is provided with an outlet opening 39 and and an outlet tube 40 is seated therein for making connection with flexible hose 25.

Deflection of sleeve 32 is procured by means of a control lever 41 swingably mounted in panel 19 and having at its inner end a washer 42 fitting loosely around tube 23 and moving sleeve 32 upon rocking of lever 41 in one direction, and to release sleeve 32 upon reverse movement, thereby causing unseating of end 33 in well 38 in the deflected position and permitting escape of gas. A slot 43 is formed in panel 19 having a notch 44 for retention of lever 41 in the on position.

The basic features of the flow control valve 18 are shown schematically in FIGURE 5. It will be seen to comprise tube 17 having a flattened portion 45 within which is located a wafer member 46 of metallic shim stock or the like coated on each side with a thin layer of plastic such as polytetrafluoroethylene or the like to provide a good valve seat. A compression member 47 is mounted for movement normal to tube 17 and is operated by threaded shaft 48 and control knob 20 to compress or release flattened portion 45.

An enlarged, expansion chamber 49 is preferably provided immediately following flattened portion 45 to avoid blockage due to freezing of any water vapor included on the compressed gas air pressure vessel 13.

In operation the resuscitator kit may readily be carried in an ambulance or doctors car and when required, is available for instant use by simply removing the cover (not shown) and applying the mask 27 to the operators face for testing. The tap 2-4 is then opened by moving lever 41 to its on position thereby causing cam 42 to deflect sleeve 32 and unseat tapered end 33 of tube 23 from well 38. The compressed gas, usually pure oxygen, stored within pressure vessel 13 which has hitherto been sealed by engagement of tapered end 33 in well 38 of seat member 37 is now permitted to escape and flow into tube 41 and thence into hose 25 and mask 26. Initially, while the pressure within the whole system including tube 23, is the same, flow of gas into mask 26 will be quite rapid. Almost at once, however, the flow will drop to somewhere in the region of that required for normal breathing due to the restriction at flattened portion 45 of tube 17. The precise Q rate of flow can be regulated by control knob by further restricting or releasing portion 45. Any tendency for tube 17 or portion 45 to become blocked by ice is avoided by the expansion chamber 49 which prevents any localized buildup of ice due to small quantities of water vapor in the escaping gas.

As soon as the flow rate is suitably adjusted the mask 27 is applied to the patients face and fastened in position by straps 28. Since the mask 27 will seal firmly on the face of the patient, a small positive pressure will develop in hose and mask 27 causing bag 26 to inflate thus storing sufficient volume of gas for one inhalation by the patient, and permitting the operator to provide a resuscitator action by intermittently gently squeezing the bag 26 in cases where the patient has stopped breathing altogether. Upon the patient breathing out, the flap 29 will close hose 25 and the mask 27, being of soft rubber or plastic material, will permit escape of exhaled gas. Where the patient is not breathing, then it will be necessary for the operator to slightly lift the mask 27 off the face while applying pressure to the patients chest to expel the gas. Once the patient is sufficiently recovered, the mask can be removed and held in the hand, and the flow rate of gas reduced by knob 20.

When gas is no longer required tap 24 is returned to the off position thus permitting sleeve 32 to resume its normal position under the influence of spring 36 and centering tapered end 33 of tube 23 in well 38 of seat member 37. The action of well 38 provides a continuous wedging effect on the exterior of tapered end 33 with the result that if metal deformation occurs around tapered end 33 the sealing effect is in fact improved.

When tap 2-4 is closed, the pressure in the system will equalize and the gauge 22 will read the pressure remaining in pressure vessel 13 thereby giving an indication of the volume of gas remaining therein.

When the gas is exhausted, the pressure vessel 13 and casing 14 can be removed from housing 10 by simply releasing fasteners 16 and a recharged unit can be inserted.

It will be noted that by the use of a flow control means 18 having a flattened portion 45 which is of relatively short extent and is followed by an expansion chamber or zone 49, any tendency for water vapor in the compressed oxygen or gas to freeze around the flattened portion 45 is greatly reduced since the pressure of the compressed oxygen will be sufficient to displace it into the expansion zone where it can do no harm.

What is claimed is:

1. Lightweight portable resuscitator apparatus comprismg:

a pressure vessel for gas consisting of a length of tubing wound upon itself;

a jacket enclosing said pressure vessel;

an outlet capillary tube communicating with said vessel;

means defining a reduced flow zone of thin, flattened shape in section on said tube having opposed flattened side walls, at least one of said walls being movable towards said other wall;

a valve seat positioned between said opposed flattened side walls;

adjustable means associated with said reduced flow zone for moving said movable side wall toward said other side wall and adapted to restrict said tube to limit gas flow therethrough;

an expansion chamber on the side of said restricting means remote from said pressure vessel;

further tube means extending from said expansion chamber;

control tap means connected to said further tube means;

a tapered profile on the free end of said further tube means;

a conical, well-shaped seating means releasably engageable with said tapered free end of said further tube means providing a wedging seal therefor;

means supporting said seating means;

means for deflecting said seating means thereby unseating same;

flexible hose means connected to said control tap means;

and

a breathing mask on said flexible hose means.

2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 including a carrying case shaped and adapted to receive said jacket, and releasable means retaining said jacket within said case.

3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, including pressure gauge means connected between said restricting means and said control tap means whereby to read pressure within the vessel, and delivery pressure.

4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said control tap means includes an oversize sleeve member extending over a length of said further tube means adjacent the free end thereof;

spring means biasing said sleeve member and seating means into engagement with said tube means; and

an outlet in said sleeve member.

5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said jacket is of substantially donut shaped construction and including a mounting panel extending across at least part of the interior of said donut shape and supporting said restricting means and control tap means.

6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said breathing mask is made of a resilient material and adapted to permit said gas to flow therefrom.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 953,462 3/1910 Garforth 128-202 1,579,919 4/1926 Drager 128202 2,063,043 12/1936 McKesson 128-202 XR 2,324,389 7/1943 Heidbrink 128-205 XR 2,376,353 5/1945 Grant et a1. 222-3 2,733,835 2/1956 Alfery et al. 222-5 2,831,607 4/1958 Berndt 128185 XR 3,045,671 7/1962 Updcgraff 128-203 3,208,449 9/1965 Bartlett 128-145.8 3,252,610 5/1966 Greenlee 2203 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,192,490 4/1959 France.

RICHARD A. GAUDET, Primary Examiner KYLE L. HOWELL, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 

